Blue River, OR •50K

Description

Tracing a route along the beautiful McKenzie River, with two spectacular waterfalls, a lake so pristine its called Clear Lake, lava flows, old growth forest, numerous log bridges and the aquamarine colored Tamolitch Pool where the the river flows from an underground lava tube, the McKenzie River Trail run is 31 miles on one of the prettiest trails in America. The race offers runners a technically challenging course with only moderate elevation gains and the inspiration of some of Oregon's most breathtaking scenery.

The 2017 race will be the 30th annual running of the McKenzie River Trail Run, making it Oregon's oldest ultra run. Net proceeds from the race are used to support the McKenzie Community Track and other McKenzie Bridge area non profits. The event is operated by Coburg Hills Running LLC under a special use permit from the Willamette National Forest and is an equal opportunity provider.

Course

The run begins at Carmen Reservoir off Hwy 126, just down river from Koosah Falls and Icecap campground. After a short gravel section, the course heads upriver on the Waterfalls Trail, crosses Hwy 126 and then goes around Clear Lake to the Santiam Wagon Road and the first aid station. From there it goes through Clear Lake resort, crosses back over Hwy 126 and takes a bridge to the far side of the river. It then follows the McKenzie River Trail 21 miles in the downriver direction to the finish line across from the McKenzie River Ranger Station.

Aid and Drop Bags

Aid Stations: Aid Stations will be located every 4-6 miles and will offer water, Gu Electrolyte Brew, Gu gel and typcial aid station food.

Drop bags: Runners can deposit drop bags at the designated areas at the start for delivery to:Trail Bridge Reservoir at mile 16.7. Trail Bridge drop bags will be delivered to the finish area after the last runner passes through at approximately noon.

Finish line. Runners may wish to use drop bags to have a change of clothes taken from the start area to the finish. Any remaining drop bags will be moved to St Benedicts Lodge (lunch venue) after the finish line closes at approximately 3:00 PM.

Cut Offs

Our intention is to have runners off the course by 3:00 PM. That allows 8 hours to finish the course (about 15:30 min/mile). Cutoffs will be enforced beginning at aid station #2 at mile 11.2. Exact cutoff times will be posted on the website.

Entry

Entry fee is $70. Online registration must be completed by April 7 to be eligible for the lottery (if necessary). Field limited to 200; if the race oversells by April 7, entries will be determined by lottery. A lottery has been necessary the past 8 years. The lottery is expected to be held by 4/16/2017. You will only be charged if you are selected to participate.

50% of the entry fee is refundable for withdrawal prior to Aug 1. No refunds after August 1.

No entry transfers and no entry carry-forwards to next year.

If race is cancelled due to fire or other circumstances beyond our control, entry fees will be refunded to the extent they were not already used for race expenses.

Entry fee includes aid, post-race lunch, and TBD race apparel or finisher item. Registered runners must be present at packet pickup to receive race apparel or other race swag; items will not be mailed.

Buddy Entry

If you wish to have your lottery entry tied to someone else (so either you both get in or neither of you do) both individuals must list the buddy's name on the entry form. Buddy entrants should be aware that we use a negative lottery; that is we determine how many names must be eliminated and we draw for those. So, your odds of getting through the lottery go down with the buddy system because if either name is drawn, both individuals are eliminated.

Entry Priority

5 time finishers of the McKenzie River Trail Run and qualified volunteers from the 2016 event bypass the lottery.

More important stuff

Awards go to open male and female overall winner and top male and female in each age group. Age groups are 29 and under, 30-39,40-49, 50-59, and 60-69, and 70 and over. Open winners not eligible for age group awards; therefore there will not be an age group award for the age group that the open winner comes from.

The race start and finish are about 20 miles apart. Runners are responsible for their own transportation between the start and finish. Participants are asked to be generous in providing rides to other runners. Organizations independent of the race have provided shuttle service in past years and are expected to again this year. Watch our Facebook page for details.

Lunch and showers are provided from Noon until 3 PM at St Benedicts Lodge, located on the river about 5 miles from the finish line.

We allow for drops and DNS's in the number of entries we accept for registration, so no wait list is maintained. Entry spots do sometimes open up a week or two before the race. If that occurs, we email those that were not selected in the lottery and fill the spots on a first come-first serve basis.